The UK has refused to enter into mediation for the return of the sculptures,
but has made tentative overtures towards arranging a loan

The British Museum could enter into talks
with Greece to lend them some of the controversial Elgin Marbles,
despite turning down a request for mediation.

In a letter to UNESCO,
Sir Richard Lambert, the chairman of the British Museum's board of
trustees, highlighted previous "joint ventures" between Greek and
British museums.

He offered to hold
talks with the Acropolis Museum over the pieces held by the British
Museum, and pointed out that the Museum "has routinely lent to Greece".

"As Trustees we attach great importance to these joint ventures, and
believe that both the study of the Parthenon Sculptures and their
display to the widest possible audiences illuminates not only the
Classical Greek achievement but also its impact on the world," he wrote.

"In conclusion, therefore, we would
invite our colleagues in Greek museums to continue to work with us and
to explore new ways of enabling the whole world to see, study and enjoy
the sculptures of the Parthenon."

A Marble relief (Block XLVII) from the North frieze of the Parthenon The Marbles left London for the first time in December last year when a headless statue of the river god Ilissos was lent to the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg.
It has since returned to the British Museum and is on display as part of the exhibition Defining Beauty: the Body in Greek Art.
Greece has previously refused to consider a loan in case it signalled acceptance of the British Museum's right to the statues. A statue by Phidias, 438BC-432BC
Ed Vaizey, the Culture Minister, also wrote to UNESCO to decline mediation, citing those concerns.
"While we remain keen to cooperate with UNESCO in its work, the fact
remains that the Parthenon sculptures in the British Museum were legally
acquired by Lord Elgin under the laws pertaining at the time and the
Trustees of the British Museum have had clear legal title to the
sculptures since 1816," he said.
"Neither the British Government
nor the British Museum are aware of any new arguments to the contrary
since 1985, when a formal Greek request for the return of the sculptures
was turned down by the British Government."
There was however "scope for further cooperation and collaboration", he said.
Eddie O'Hara, the chairman of the British Committee for the
reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, said the UK's decision was
"deeply disappointing". He told the Independent: "They play the game of offering a loan because they know the Greeks would never accept a loan."

Italian coach de Biasi gets Albanian citizenship

|
March 28, 2015

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania's national team coach, Italian Giovanni de Biasi, has received Albanian citizenship a day before the European championship qualifier against Armenia.
President Bujar Nishani
on Saturday gave the coach his citizenship document at a meeting with
the team in the port city of Durres, 33 kilometers (20 miles) west of
capital Tirana, where they are training.
De Biasi, 58, has been leading Albania, which is third in Group I, since December 2011.
The Italian coach is married to an Albanian woman and will now have dual citizenship.

A
statement from the bank Saturday said that 200 million euros would be
used as guarantor for Albania to pay back a previous 300-million-euro
international loan and also secure money for the country's budget.
The other 66 million euros will be spent on road network maintenance, which has been systematically underfunded.
Albania's government is suffering from a rapidly rising public debt that has reached 70 percent, up from 60 percent in 2012.
Last year, the bank gave Albania another budget support loan of $220 million and $150 million for its energy sector.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Albania is ‘stand-out’ tourism and foreign property destination

Rising visitor numbers, new flights and low living costs are boosting
overseas property demand in Albania, says a leading resort chief.
Albania chalked up a 167% increase in foreign visitors in Q3 2014,
topping one million, according to the country’s national statistics
office, INSTAT. Just two years ago, it attracted 390,454 overseas
tourists.
Visitor numbers from East Asia and Pacific grew 42.34% year-on-year and Western Europe by 24.7%.
Peter Walshe, Marketing Director of Albania’s first high-end resort, Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa,
says, “Albania is looking to be one of the stand-out destinations for
travel this year and as the country begins to fully recognise the
potential of its tourism market, this is sure to be just the beginning.
“In line with this, we are certainly seeing a growing number of
enquiries from people interested in buying property in the beautiful
coastal region of Lalzit Bay, for both their own use and having
recognised its investment potential. Albania is proving a popular choice
for buyers in a wide range of nations.”
Summer 2015 will see the launch of a host of new flight routes,
linking Albania’s capital, Tirana, with more key cities in Europe and
beyond.
A code-share deal between Czech Airlines and Travel Service will see
new flights start between Prague and Tirana, and there will also be
charter flights launched from Košice airport in Slovakia into Albanian
capital. Kuwait investors are in talks about the potential launch of the
new Albanian Airways plane which fly from Tirana t0 European countries
that are home to expat Albanians.
With this expansion extending into autumn too, Italy’s Air Vallée is
also set to start scheduled flights between the Italian destinations of
Rimini, Salerno, Bari and Pescara, flying into Tirana, making the Balkan
country even more accessible to its neighbouring nation.
The World Bank is preparing the Country Strategy for Albania for the
next five years, which is focused on coordinating and maximising growth
in the tourism sector.
The country is becoming renowned as an incredibly affordable
destination to visit, which ensures it is becoming the top choice for a
growing flank for property investors and holidaymakers, says Mr Walshe.
Numbeo’s Consumer Price Index, part of its Cost of Living Index
2015, showed that Albania is some 40% cheaper than Italy which is just
45-miles across the Adriatic.
Lalzit Bay Resort and Spa is offering a range of beautifully-designed properties as part of a five-star, beachfront resort.
Properties are built at low density and to the highest of standards
and range from one or two-bedroom apartments to three for four-bedroom
villas with private pools. The properties, inspired by California’s
beachfront real estate, are priced from €35,000-€360,000.
Lalzit Bay Resort is just 30 minutes from Durrës and features a beach
club, range of top restaurants and bars, tennis courts and boutique
shops.

World Bank Executive Director Concludes Successful Visit to Albania

March 27, 2015

TIRANA, March 27, 2015 –Patrizio Pagano, the new Executive Director,
representing Albania in the World Bank Group’s Board of Executive
Directors, visited the country from March 24-27, 2015. The purpose of
the visit was to meet with high level authorities to assure them of
continuous cooperation and support for Albania’s efforts to enhance
growth, reduce poverty and increase shared prosperity. He discussed
Government priorities and the World Bank Group’s support under its
upcoming Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the period 2015-2019.
Over the last year, the World Bank Group Board has approved several
important operations in support of Albania’s reforms with a few more
expected to be presented for approval in the coming weeks.

Mr. Pagano met with Prime Minister Edi Rama, Speaker of the
Parliament Ilir Meta, Minister of Finance Shkëlqim Cani, other members
of government, Governor of the Bank of Albania, head of the opposition
and Mayor of Tirana Lulzim Basha, as well as representatives from civil
society, development partners and media.
In his meeting with Prime Minister Rama, Mr. Pagano praised the
government’s reform agenda and the emerging good results, and expressed
his support for the government’s efforts focusing on Albania’s
comparative advantages, finding new sources of growth, and creating an
environment conducive to investment and job creation. He also expressed
his satisfaction for the dynamic collaboration between the government
and the World Bank Group resulting in the timely preparation of programs
and knowledge sharing in support of reforms necessary to achieve these
ambitious objectives. Mr. Pagano listened to the Government’s views
about challenges ahead and assured strong support of the WBG in the
context of the new Country Partnership Framework.
“I am impressed with the
drive towards transformational changes demonstrated by the government in
pursuing reform agenda in the country. Some of the reforms such as in
energy and pensions are showing encouraging results, and I look forward
to seeing more positive impact during the implementation of the upcoming
World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework”, said Patrizio Pagano, Executive Director representing Albania in the World Bank Group’s Board.
Mr. Pagano also exchanged views on Albania’s short to mid-term
challenges with the opposition and development partners. He underscored
the importance of maintaining active dialogue and consultations to
support the country’s continued progress.
Mr. Pagano participated in the signing ceremony of the recently
approved Health System Improvement project, and expressed his
satisfaction for the contribution to the improvement of health services
and coverage.
During his visit to two hydro-powers in North Albania, Vau i Dejes
and Koman, Mr. Pagano was briefed on the important measures taken to
ensure sustainable energy supply for the population and the economy
which are supported by the new project on Power sector recovery. During
his visit Mr. Pagano was accompanied by Ms. Tahseen Sayed, Country
Manager for Albania.

Outspoken Syriza MP praises Greek Special Forces – VIDEO

First entry: 27 March 2015 - 10:15 Athens, 08:15 GMT

Last update: 10:15 Athens, 08:15 GMTPolitics

Syriza MP, formerly of the populist Independent Greeks party (ANEL), Rachel Makri,
expressed her support for the Greek Special Forces unit - known as OYK
-following the controversial slogans they chanted on Wednesday’s
military parade.
Makri posted a video of support on her Facebook
account despite the backlash from governing party lawmakers and the
opposition that accused OYK of nationalistic behaviour.
This is the video Makri posted on her official account.

Serb deputies continue to boycott Kosovo assembly

Source: Beta

PRISTINA -- Head of the Serbian List group in the
Kosovo assembly Sasa Milosavljevic has said that 9 deputies from this
list will not show up for today's sitting.

(Beta/AP, file)

"We
are still waiting for our coalition partners (the Democratic Party of
Kosovo and the Democratic League of Kosovo) to fulfill their coalition
obligations. These obligations have not yet been fulfilled," said
Milosavljevic.
He, however, voiced his "personal stance" that
Serb List deputies should return to the assembly in Pristina, "because
that is the only way they can participate in solving those problems that
are important to the Serb community."

Milosavljevic said that
Serb deputies can live up to the promises they made during the campaign
"only in that way," the Beta agency is reporting on Friday.

The
Kosovo assembly is meeting today to discuss the establishment of a
special court for KLA crimes, with Prime Minister Isa Mustafa expected
to address the sitting.

The Serb List left the Kosovo
government and other institutions after the sacking of Aleksandar
Jablanovic from Mustafa's cabinet. This was done because Jablanovic
described those Albanians who attacked Serb returnees in Djakovica with
rocks on Orthodox Christmas Eve as "savages."

Additionally, the
Serb List wants to stop privatizations in Serb areas, and is demanding
that two new municipalities be set up in Kosovo.

Vucic has telephone conversation with Kosovo PM

The
news agency added it learned that Vucic and Mustafa spoke about "future
cooperation between Belgrade and Pristina and the position of Serbs in
Kosovo and Metohija."
Vucic and Mustafa "agreed on Wednesday
evening that all problems should be solved through dialogue and that
after establishing direct contact, they will in the future directly
communicate about all potential problems," Tanjug reported on Thursday.

Commenting in the conversation during a break in a conference in
Belgrade's Crowne Plaza Hotel on Thursday, Vucic said Mustafa and he
held "very different views of the world, the future, Kosovo - but it is
normal that we talk."

"My job is to talk and I will always talk
to him. Just as I am always pleased to talk with Angela Merkel, with
(Vladimir) Putin, so it is normal for me to talk with someone who is not
that popular. But, I cannot and do not wish to say a bad word about
that, because it is my job and his to solve problems, " Vucic was quoted
as saying.

He added that the conversation last night was "also about how to continue the (Kosovo) dialogue."

The EU-mediated dialogue has stalled as Pristina "wants all previously
agreed on deals to be implemented before new topics are opened, while
Belgrade wants to talk about forming a community of Serb
municipalities," the Beta agency said in its report.

The last dialogue round was held in Brussels on February 9 and resulted in an agreement on the judiciary.

Albania: Immunity lifted for 2 MPs in murder plot claim

Lawmaker Tom Doshi speaks to a Parliament’s commission
discussing the prosecutors’ request to lift his immunity, Wednesday,
March 25, 2015, after his claims Speaker Ilir Meta had been behind an
assassination plot. Parliament on Thursday, March 26, 2015 voted in
favor of the prosecutors’ call to arrest Doshi, expelled from the
governing Socialists three weeks ago after the claims, and also for
Christian Democrat Mark Frroku for false testimony in the case.

1 of 3

TIRANA,
Albania (AP) — Albanian lawmakers on Thursday voted to lift the
immunity of two of their colleagues accused of false testimony claiming
that the parliament speaker was behind an alleged assassination plot to
kill two deputies.
Eighty of Parliament's 140 lawmakers voted to allow the prosecution of Socialist lawmaker Tom Doshi, while the vote for lifting the immunity of Christian Democrat Mark Frroku was 79 to one abstention.
Sixty lawmakers, all but four of them from opposition parties, were absent.
Doshi was expelled from the governing Socialists three weeks ago after claiming Parliament speaker Ilir Meta, a former prime minister, had paid 600,000 euros ($656,000) to have him and an opposition Democratic Party
lawmaker killed. He has given no explanation for what Meta's motives
might have been. Meta has strenuously denied the allegation.
Doshi had claimed that Frroku had first told him about the alleged plot. Frroku denies making any such claim.
The
two lawmakers were formally accused of false testimony after a probe
found no evidence of an assassination plot. They face up to five years
in prison if convicted.
"We
have seen no politician, lawmaker jailed for false testimony, which in
fact did not occur at all in my case," Frroku said before the vote.
Prosecutors questioned Meta, Prime Minister Edi Rama, his Democrat predecessor Sali Berisha and tens of others before deciding to ask for the lifting of the two's immunity.
Speaking at a Parliamentary commission meeting Wednesday night, Doshi described the prosecution request against him as politically motivated.
Prosecutors
say that Durim Bami, who Doshi said was the assassin, has since claimed
that Doshi and Frroku paid him and pressured him to make a false
allegation about the assassination plot.
Forty
of the main opposition Democratic Party's 41 lawmakers walked out of
parliament before the vote, with the party saying it did not want "to be
part of the farce," despite previously voicing support for the request
to lift immunity for the two.
"The investigation cannot be trusted as long as the speaker maintains his post," said Democrat Eduard Halimi. The party has called for Meta to be removed from his post so he can be questioned again.

Three
suspects have been arrested in Italy and Albania, believed to be part
of a terrorist cell that has recruited fighters for the Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria, ISIS.

Albanian police on Wednesday said they had arrested 38-year-old Alban
Haki Elezi, from the village of Frakull, near the town of Kavaja in
central Albania, acting on an Interpol warrant issued by the Italian
authorities.

“His arrest was carried out based on a warrant issued by Interpol Rome
and a ruling issued by a court in Brescia, on suspicion of terrorist
acts,” the statement said.

Italian media reports said that apart from Alban Elezi, Italian
authorities have also arrested his nephew, Elvis Elezi, in Turin and a
28-year-old Italian of Moroccan origin.

Italian authorities are increasingly concerned by the number of
radicalized Muslims emigrants from the Balkans joining the ranks of the
Islamist militants.

According to a document seen by BIRN, the Italian Interior Ministry has
identified five radical cells from the Balkans operating in Italy and
recruiting jihadist fighters for the Islamic State.

The cells located in Milan, Rome, Liguria, Lucca and Siena have
allegedly infiltrated communities composed of Muslim emigrants from
Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Bosnia.

So far, eight of 59 people that Italian security agencies have
identified as joining radical Islamic groups fighting in Syria and Iraq
come from the Balkans. Four have already died in the Syrian war.

Because of its geographical proximity, Italian authorities are worried
that ties between radical preachers coming from the Balkans and local
Muslim communities could turn the country into a centre of radical
Islamist activity.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Greek Army officers parade during a parade on
Greece's Independence Day, marking the start of the uprising against the
Ottomans back in 1821, in Athens, March 25, 2015. Thousands of Greeks
have lined a main central Athens avenue despite rain to watch the
country's annual Independence Day military parade, with spectators
allowed along the route for the first time in about three years.
PANAYIOTIS TZAMAROS — AP Photo

ATHENS, Greece — Thousands of
Greeks lined a main central Athens avenue despite rain on Wednesday to
watch the country's annual Independence Day military parade, with
spectators allowed along the route for the first time in about three
years.

The crowds at the parade, where tanks rolled down the
street and fighter jets and military helicopters flew overhead, were in
stark contrast to last year's event, which took place under heavy
security. Spectators had only been allowed near the end of the route.
Authorities
limited public access to national parades after protesters had heckled
officials attending such events over the handling of Greece's financial
crisis and austerity measures imposed in return for billions of euros in
international rescue loans.
Parliamentary elections in January
saw the radical left Syriza party form a coalition government with the
nationalist right-wing Independent Greeks.
The two had been among
the most vociferous critics of previous governments' handling of the
financial crisis, and came to power on pledges of ripping up the bailout
agreement which stipulated austerity measures in return for funds from
other eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund.
But
the new government, faced with an increasingly severe credit crunch and
strained relations with its European partners, has had to roll back on
some of its pre-election promises.
March 25 marks the start of
Greece's 1821 uprising against the Ottoman Empire. The end of
Wednesday's parade was followed for the first time by traditional Greek
folk dances in the street outside Parliament.

"Serbia won't sit quietly as Greater Albania is created"

Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Serbian Justice Minister Nikola
Selakovic has said that the country "cannot and will not" react quietly
to the creation of a Greater Albania.

(Tanjug, file)

He
remarked that "they need not hide it under any other guise, because
(Greater Albania) is obviously what this is about," and "called on the
EU to oppose it."
Selakovic spoke after Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Monday announced
that several agreements signed between the governments of Kosovo and
Albania represented "national unification" and that this had occurred
"through the EU."

Kosovo is a Serbian province that
unilaterally declared independence in 2008, an act Serbia considers a
violation of its territorial integrity.

Selakovic said that
while Serbia wishes to have the best possible relations with Albania,
and for Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo to live in peace, "it will not
react quietly to the forming of a Greater Albania."

"We are calling on the EU to oppose it, rather than keep quiet and look at it benevolently," the minister said late on Monday.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Pristina "daydreams about Serbia's recognition"

BELGRADE -- Director of the Serbian Government
Office for Kosovo Marko Djuric says that "people should not be fed the
illusion about Serbia's recognition of Kosovo."

Marko Djuric in Kosovska Mitrovica (Beta, file)

However,
he added, that does not mean that residents in Kosovo and Metohija,
both Serbs and Albanians, "should not live together, and live better."
Ethnic
Albanians in Kosovo in 2008 unilaterally declared independence, which
Serbia considers a violation of its Constitution and territorial
integrity.

But Hashim Thaci, who serves as deputy prime
minister and foreign minister in the government in Pristina, told the
Austrian APA agency he was "convinced that Serbia will in the near
future" recognize its southern province as independent.

Reacting to this statement, Djuric said that "the road to normalization
is irreversible, while the constant daydreaming about a Serb recognition
of Kosovo's independence is a reflection of political immaturity."

"What is worrying is the lack of focus on the real problems of Kosovo
and Metohija - unemployment, corruption, and bad inter-ethnic
relations," this official observed.

Djuric also advised Thaci
to "turn to the reality and take into account the fact that citizens
suffer the most from any delays in normalization of relations between
Belgrade and Pristina, which at the same time represents a process to
create the conditions for economic development of Kosovo and Metohija."

Thaci told APA on Monday that Serbia's recognition "will not happen
tomorrow, but will come in the near future," and noted that Serbia's EU
accession and recognition of Kosovo will be tied to one another.

During the same interview, Thaci mentioned "Islamic extremism and the
rising influence of Russia" as the biggest threats faced by the Western
Balkan region.

The make-or-break moment in the long running saga over Greece's debt is looming.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Monday in a bid to bridge a growing gulf between Athens and its European
creditors.

Tsiprasarrived in Germany --
the biggest single contributor to Greece's 240-billion euro ($262
billion) international bailout -- warning that Athens will find it
"impossible" to avoid defaulting on its debt repayments without more
cash from Europe.
"Servicing these repayments through internal
resources alone would, indeed, lead to a sharp deterioration in the
already depressed Greek social economy -- a prospect that I will not
countenance," Tsipras wrote in a March 15 letter to Merkel first published by the Financial Times.
Greek government spokesman Gavriel Sakelarides confirmed the content of
the letter. He said Tsipras was not threatening Germany but rather
laying out the "reality" facing his country. "There is a liquidity
problem and political initiatives must be undertaken," Sakelarides told
Greek TV.
And here's the problem: Europe will only hand over more cash once it's satisfied that Greece is implementing reforms it promised in February to win an extension of its financial lifeline to the end of June.
Pressure on Merkel to hold a firm line with Greece is coming from two
sources: German taxpayers who don't want to throw good money after bad,
and European states who have stuck with painful austerity and believe
they're beginning to see the benefits of those reforms.
Tsipras
said he hadn't come to Berlin looking for money but rather to try to
establish common ground and understand "what we agree on and what we
disagree on," he told reporters.
Merkel said she wasn't in a
position to promise any more help to Greece -- that would be a decision
for eurozone finance ministers as a group. But she twice referred back
to the February agreement, which Greece has so far failed to fulfill. Related: Greece needs to behave like a startup
While the political wrangling continues, Greece's financial position
went from bad to worse. Tax revenues fell short of forecasts by more
than one billion euros in the first two months of the year, the economy
is shrinking again and cash is leaving the country.
"Tonight,
Prime Minister Tsipras has potentially his last chance to convince
German Chancellor Merkel that he will ultimately do what it takes to
keep Greece in the euro," noted Christian Schulz at Berenberg bank.
"If he fails to inspire any kind of trust in Berlin, securing the
necessary funds to keep going, let alone the inevitable third bailout in
July, will be a fantasy."
Greece repaid more than 900 million
euros to the International Monetary Fund last week, but faces another
repayment demand of about 470 million euros on April 9. Some analysts
believe the cash crunch could come even sooner than that.
With
its budget surplus fast evaporating, and unable to borrow from
international markets, Greece's anti-austerity government would then
face a stark choice: default or slash spending at home.
Some
relief could come from the European Central Bank, if it agrees to relax
the conditions attached to funding Greece's banks. ECB President Mario
Draghi said Monday that he was prepared to do so, but Greece must first
commit to honor its obligations to all creditors, and prove that it is
meeting the conditions of its bailout program.

Albania reaffirms commitment to NATO

Albania remains committed to the NATO Readiness Action Plan,
which "ensures that the Alliance is ready to respond swiftly and firmly
to new security challenges."

By Linda Karadaku for Southeast European Times in Pristina -- 19/03/15

The
VJTF will be comprised of NATO Response Forces, and will consist
primarily of a terrestrial component supplemented with air, sea and
special forces. [AFP]

Albania's Ministry of Defence said the country continues to be
engaged in the NATO Readiness Action Plan, and is focused on the two
main pillars -- assurance and adoption measures -- which include
"increased military presence and activity for assurance and deterrence"
and "changes to the Alliance's long-term military posture and
capabilities."
The Readiness Action Plan was approved at the NATO Wales Summit in
September, "to ensure the Alliance is ready to respond swiftly and
firmly to new security challenges." The plan provides measures to
respond to changes in the security environment in and near Europe,
challenges posed by Russia and threats coming from the Middle East and
North Africa.
Last month, NATO and Albanian officials discussed the efforts to
adapt to emerging hybrid challenges from the east and south. NATO Deputy
Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Sir Adrian Bradshaw and senior
Albanian political and military officials also discussed the Alliance's
plans to enhance and restructure the NATO Response Force (NRF) "into a
division-sized force that can move at short notice in response to hybrid
threats."
"NATO nations are resolute in their determination to respond to
emerging security challenges, as evidenced by our ongoing and robust
assurance measures, and our rapid establishment of an interim Very High
Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) capability," Bradshaw said.
The VJTF is envisioned to be a multinational brigade with around
5,000 troops and up to five manoeuvre battalions, supported by air,
maritime and special forces.
"The Readiness Action Plan is the biggest reinforcement of our
collective defence since the end of the Cold War. And it is my top
priority to implement this plan in full and on time," NATO
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in November 2014.
"This plan has been in the focus of the last Summit of the Alliance
in Wales, where the heads of the member states agreed to create [the
VJTF], which would be capable of being deployed within a few days in
response to the challenges that arise, especially on the periphery of
NATO territory," Edlira Prendi, spokesperson for the Albanian Ministry
of Defence, told SETimes.
The VJTF will be comprised of the NATO Response Forces, which are
high-readiness forces, and will consist primarily of a terrestrial
component supplemented with air, sea and special forces, she added.
Prendi explained that Albania contributes to the NRF with elements, units and capacities that change every year.
"This year, capacities of the military police have been declared,
while for next year it will be the capacities of the ground forces. The
willingness of the declared capacities is tested through military
exercises organised by NATO. The [upcoming] exercise Trident Juncture 15
aims to test the capacities declared by the NATO member states for
2016. The exercise will take place in Spain and Portugal and the
capacities declared by Albania will also attend," Prendi told SETimes.
Edith Harxhi, former Albanian deputy foreign minister and current
executive director of the Albanian Policy Centre, said the government
should maintain more resources for assisting the Alliance.
"An increase in the defence budget of the country needs to be
reconsidered by the current government. At the latest NATO summit in
Wales, the Alliance called on member states for more commitment -- both
financially and physically -- to fight world terrorism and defy the
Islamic State [of Iraq and the Levant] as a real threat that is trying
to penetrate in Europe," Harxhi told SETimes.
General Sheme Kosova, former Chief of Staff of the Albanian Army,
said the rapid changes in the global security environment present a need
for NATO member countries, including Albania, to adapt.

"NATO and the Albanian Armed Forces should build policies and
structures for the new war. The problems in Iraq, Syria, anywhere, need
to be confronted because they are not simply war soldiers, but
destructors of democracy," Kosova told SETimes.
Harxhi agreed, and said that Albania is united in its objectives to
support the partners within NATO and prevent evil forces from killing
innocent civilians in the name of religion.
"Albania, as a NATO member country with a Muslim majority population,
has an extra duty not only to fight extremism in its cells but also to
help and assist other countries in the Western Balkans to fight
extremist groups that appeal to vulnerable people to join them in the
name of God and wealth," Harxhi told SETimes. What steps can Albania and the Western Balkan countries take to
assist NATO with the Readiness Action Plan? Tell us your thoughts below.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Serbia gives access to military facilities, special status to NATO soldiers

Published: Mar 21, 2015

BELGRADE – NATO soldiers should in future have free transit through
Serbia, use its military infrastructure and be “protected” with a
special status while staying in the country, writes “Vecernje Novosti”.

Image from: bezbednost.org

This is only one of the obligations Serbia committed to with
individual action plan (IPAP), whose entry into force was officially
marked by the Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic and Defense Minister
Bratislav Gasic.
IPAP, among other things, involves signing of the so-called SOFA
agreement (which Serbia already has with the US) with NATO member
states, which regulates border crossing and immunity level for the
members of Alliance while they are passing through Serbia or are
residing in the country, as well as access to military facilities.
Serbia also committed to open the regional training center “Jug” near
Bujanovac for all the members of the Partnership for Peace and NATO, to
gradually harmonize its regulation in the field of defense with the EU
and destroy surplus weapons.
Particularly intriguing is the mandatory sentence of cooperation with
NATO in the field of public diplomacy, but, as sources who spoke with
the daily claim, does not mean that Serbia should “blindly” follow NATO
military doctrine, actions and foreign and security policy, but to
cooperate in raising awareness of NATO standards, activities withing the
Partnership for Peace and promotion of regional stability.

Photo: MOD

According to Minister Dacic, raising cooperation with NATO to the
highest political level “does not in any way obligate Serbia to become a
member”, nor calls into question its military neutrality:
“This is the furthest step Serbia will make towards NATO,” said Dacic.
“IPAP represents the highest level of cooperation with a partner
state which is not willing to become a member of NATO. We are developing
cooperation with the Alliance within the PfP and thereby contribute to
the achievement of interoperability in the Army of Serbia, building
military capacities to contribute to international peace and stability,”
said Minister Gasic.
Military analyst Aleksandar Radic also does not see obligations under
IPAP as contestable. He says that not even the commitment to secure
free movement and special status for NATO soldiers is not contestable.
“There is no mystery in these agreements and they serve to simplify
customs and border procedures, as well as the conditions of transit
through Serbia, when, say, foreign soldiers come here for a joint
military exercise or on some other occasion. When we sign such agreement
with a country, then our soldiers have the same rights in that
country,” said Radic.

Published: Mar 22, 2015People in Serbia, along with Bulgarians, are the least happy people
in Europe, show results of the most recent research conducted by
Eurostat, “Blic” writes.

Illustration

Of the 32 countries of Europe where the research was conducted,
Serbia is second from behind. Worse than Serbia is only Bulgaria, with
Hungarians, Greeks and Croats being happier people. The most satisfied
people live in Switzerland.
These results were obtained from the issues that had to do with
socio-demographic factors as criteria of satisfaction. Respondents
declared that the most important factors are health, financial
situation, employment, social relations and climate.
The most dissatisfied were given rating from zero to two, and completely satisfied ten.
These results do not surprise psychiatrist Slobodan Jovicic, writes the daily.
“A young man in Serbia has no perspective. He is initially hampered
because it is impossible to live in Serbia with a salary of 39,000
dinars (~ $350) and raise a family. Even if he earned 2,000 euros, the
only thing he can do is buy ‘quality salami’,” dr. Jovicic told “Blic”.
Sociologist Ratko Bozovic reminds that happy people are those who are free.
“Happy people are those who have control over their lives, who are
capable to achieve their wishes. In Serbia this is non-existant.
Happiness and satisfaction are reflected in fulfillment, bliss, harmony.
These do not exist in Serbia,” said Bozovic.

Thousands gather for anti-austerity rally in Spain - PHOTOS

First entry: 21 March 2015 - 22:07 Athens, 20:07 GMT

Last update: 08:41 Athens, 06:41 GMTWorld

Thousands
of demonstrators from across Spain have gathered at one of Madrid's
main squares to protest against the way the government has tackled the
financial crisis by implementing harsh austerity measures.
Organizers
had hoped to attract 20,000 protesters to the event, labelled Marches
for Dignity, and as the sun set on Saturday much of Colon Square and
part of Paseo de Recoletos boulevard were packed with people carrying
republican flags and banners calling for a general strike.

NATO Secretary General discusses relations with Russia at Brussels Forum

20 Mar. 2015

|

Last updated: 20 Mar. 2015 18:00

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
called on Russia to stop destabilizing its neighbours and respect
international rules at the tenth annual Brussels Forum conference on
Friday (20 March 2015). In the face of Russia’s aggressive actions, Mr.
Stoltenberg underlined that NATO is responding by strengthening its
collective defence and supporting regional partners – including Ukraine,
Georgia, and Moldova.

The Secretary General participated in a panel entitled
“Zero-Sum? Russia, Power Politics, and the post-Cold War Era”. His
co-panellists were EU High Representative Federica Mogherini; US
Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland; and Konstantin Kosachev,
Chairman of Russia’s Federation Council Committee on International
Affairs. The moderator was David Ignatius,associate editor of The Washington Post.
Organised by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the
Brussels Forum brings together political, economic and intellectual
leaders from Europe and North America to discuss key challenges facing
the Euro-Atlantic area

The Panepirotic Federation of America vehemently condemns the brutal destruction by Albanian authorities on August 26 of a Greek Orthodox Church in the Chimara region of the former Communist nation that once prohibited all forms of religious worship. The Church of St. Athanasius in the town of Drymades, known in Albanian as Dhermi, was completely destroyed by government agents acting on the authority of Albania’s Interior Ministry.

Petitioning European Council

The land in Himara belongs to the people of Himara! Land and property registration NOW! Signe now this petition to the European Councile, for the registration of properties to the only and single eligible owner: the PEOPLE of Himara.

Himara Community of USA, Addresses Himarra Property Issues with US State Department / Ambassador

The Honorable John F. Kerry Secretary of State U.S. Department of State Dear Mr. Secretary: We are writing to inform you of issues affecting United States citizens who have vested interests in the municipality of Himarra, Albania, and to express our concern about their long outstanding and unresolved problems regarding property rights. Over 1500 US citizens of Himarrioton descent are disenfranchised of their rights to the ownership of their family properties which were confiscated in 1945 by the communist regime. They have been attempting to claim their family properties since the end of the communist period without success due to the laws and policies of the Albanian government which a) fail to address ownership rights of pre-1945 landowners, b) fail to address the rights of owners who were forced to emigrate to the United States for economic or political reasons, and c) fail to address the rights of those with dual citizenship who have attempted to claim their properties as Albanian citizens.

Opinion - Kisha Autoqefale dhe Greqia! (14 tetor 2013)

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Officially: Omonoia, In Albania over 300.000 Greeks declared

30 % or 86,000, are declared electronically and this process includes 85 % of the members of the Greek minority Vlora Prefecture is the mostly populated by Greeks, there are about 90. 000 Greeks. TIRANA - Democratic Union of the Greek Ethnic Minority, Omonoia publishes the results of the census of members of the Ethnic Greek Community, organized by it structures. The Prime Census, was the decision of the General Council of the organization as members argued for exclusion of the Greek minority in the months Census October 2011, organized by the Institute of Statistics .

The history of elections of the Albanian dictator, to terrorize the people of Himara

A special Edition by SManalysis December 2, 1945: The Himariotes, abstaining from communist referendum, as happens usually for Himara the Albanian historians, never wrote this tragic history. Nikos Koutoulas, who boldly told the special communist court: "I'm Greek . I do not know Albanian, get me a interpret!" Still now, Albania never hold free politic elections, including Himara Municipality

Albanian Writer Raises Storm in Kosovo

Kosovo officials have rounded on Albanian writer Fatos Lubonja for saying that the political elites in both countries turned a blind eye to the crimes of the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA. Besar Likmeta BIRN Tirana Albanian writer Fatos Lubonja In the article published in the May edition of the magazine Sudosteuropa, Lubonja focused on the reaction of Albania’s political class to the acquittal of the former KLA commander and Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj by the Hague Tribunal. Lubonja wrote that following Haradinaj’s release, the elite in Pristina and Tirana celebrated him as a hero, despite having enough information that the charges brought by prosecutors in the Hague were correct.

As long as human rights and civil liberties are violated in Himara Region primarily property, Greec

Himara Associations: Athens to block the status of Albania, if Tirana, does not solve the property issue Two associations based in Himara, "The Himara Community" and "Sea Coastal Association" have asked in a statement distributed to the media this afternoon that Greece "should block the candidate status for Albania" if Tirana, will not solve the problems of Human Rights and particularly the issue of the properties in Himara Region. The statement takes into consideration the visit Tirana following day of E.Venizelos the Greek Deputy Prime Minister also heads the Presidency of the European :

Albania minorities object to territorial division

Albania's civil society is calling on officials to diffuse tensions and protect minorities from discrimination and potential violence as a result of the decision to scrap the existing municipalities and create a new territorial administration. The government reduced the 384 local government units to 65, effectively creating entirely Albanian-majority municipalities. Greek, Macedonian and other minority representatives said the government's move violates their rights and international norms.

Poll: Albania, the most racist country in Europe

An international survey data from the World Value Survey collected and processed by the Washington Post reveals that Albania is the most racist country in Europe and worldwide more racists. The survey attempts to make a connection between economic development and being tolerant inside a society with ethnic crashes.. Thus, the most tolerant countries in the world are the Nordic countries, Great Britain and some of its former colonies, the United States, Canada and Australia. Countries with high tolerance are also in Latin America, where Venezuela exception.

Fatos Lobonja: Albania needs formatting not to rebirth

Fatos Lobonja, in an interview for the program "PULS" the KohaVision in Kosovo, there appeared criticism of developments in Albania. According Lubonja Albanians as a society still can not be consolidated. The reasons, according to him, are corrupt Albanian political elites on all sides, inside and abroad. He said they did not thirst for power leaves organize and move forward. Edi Rama's arrival at the head of government, according Lubonja, will not change the image of Albania, because Rama is associated with the oligarchs and organized crime. " He should answer that elite and non-citizens of Albania ", Lobonja estimates.

Nicholas Gage: Athens to give soon the Greek citizenship for thousand north epiriotes

World Council delegation of Epirus Abroad, meeting with the Ministry of Interior for the vote of northern epiriotes and the resolve the pension problem The visit of Nicholas Gage, is considering as the latest diplomatic effort of USA lobbing, for implementation of the "Protocol of Corfu" agreement, between Albania and Greece, based on the ulterior escalation in Balkan region. The Delegation of the World Council of Foreign Relation of Epirus (PSIE) headed by the Honorary President Nicolas Gkatzogianni, had a working meeting with the Greek Interior minister Stylianidis and v/ minister Syrigos.

Himariotes, lobbying in USA, for Autonomy

A group of people of Himara, with American citizenship, are lobbying to the US Congress and the State Department, that the Himara Region, receive the right for autonomy, according to international historical right to his self-determination. Proposed to merge all associations operating in USA, Greece and Albania, to be united in a single purpose: Autonomous Himara, Movements in the Balkans geopolitical, Mitrovica case, cutting pension from Greece, scarce public investment, robbery and illegal registration of property, etc., have raised a great concern, as never in the recent relationship of Himara, Albanian and Greek state relationship.

Pyrros Dimas, meeting with the Greek Minister of Labour, for problem of pensions to the Northern Ep

- Initiative of MP of PASOK, Pyrros Dimas for preparing and drafting a legislative proposal in collaboration with representatives of the Northern Epirus organizations. - The Minister agreed on the need to find a solution and urged the Member to develop concrete proposals, and that after consultation with the Secretary of the New Republic, Manolis Kefaloyiannis will be submitted jointly to the Minister of Finance.

"Kakome Case" again to the Albanian Tribunals

The Greek Community continues to "constant war" with the Albanian government to protect property. The apathy of Athens, to respond to the robbery of the properties in just the time, that OSCE, under the process of the registration of property in Ionian Coast, from European taxpayers, without any trasparence, is favoring according to Albanian law, alienation of property, of the Greek community , with the false documents.

Berisha: albanophobia threatens inter region

Berisha: "We must accept that they are the only people who live in 5 states. A nation that is unjustly divided into 5 states, a nation that wants to look to a common future. But again albanophobia is still in action " Albanian Prime Minister for the second time, threatening Greece, claiming that Albanians in Greece, should join the Albanian state.

NORTHERN EPIRUS THROUGH THE CENTURIES(LECTURE OF VASILIOS KYRANIS, Harvard University -1981) AL

Christos Pappas, in an interview with Arthur Zhei, News 24 TV

Pappas: "Northern Epirus is a region that holds arbitrary from Albania, as recognized by the great powers, the Protocol of Corfu. The Law of War against Albania, can not remove from Papoulias nor Greek parliament, but the Greek army is ready to liberate the Northern Epirus, again

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After a life threatening message to Archbishop Janullatos

42 Orthodox clergy against census and Red & Black Alliance: Janullatos has not afraid of death 42 Tirana archdiocese Orthodox clergy have reacted with a joint statement in defense of Anastasios Yannoulatos. Their attitude comes after strong reactions against the Red & Black Alliance, for Archbishop and after a census that sees Orthodox in third place in terms of religion in the country.

Albania: 100 years, Berisha plays 'great Albania' trump card

In Tirana Albanian leaders, tensions with Macedonia 28 November, 10:49 (ANSAmed) - TIRANA, NOVEMBER 28 - Albania's black and red national flag with a double-headed eagle is waving across the country which is celebrating today its 100th anniversary of independence in a tense political climate. The centre-right Premier Sali Berisha has been calling for days for an ethnic-national unification of all Albanians living in different Balkan states, in efforts to revive a strong nationalism which is rejected by Albania's opposition.

The Official Site of The Himara Community

CONTINUES THE DEBATE IN WASHINGTON D.C. FOR THE PROPERTY RIGHTS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS FROM NORTHERN

According to the Greek organisation of Albania estimates there are thousands of Greek American citizens from Northern Epirus (Southern Albania) which is refering the Journalist Lambros Papantoniou, asking the Spokesman of State Department for the rights of American citizens with Greek origin to take their properties in Southern Albania. Papantoniou is refereeing a Memo between Albanian State and USA about the civil rights especially for the properties of American citizens who are interested to take them according to Albanian Constitution and laws the properties of family generation. This is the second debate of the veteran Journalist for Balkan Issues in State Department Lambros Papantoiou who accuses over all the Sali Berisha Regim in Albania supported by the President Bush.

A Response to AFP

SManalysis Orthodox churches of Albania, are Byzantine churches, belong to the property of the population of Epirus.....

Avramopoulos`s speach during NATO meeting

Greece threatens Albania blocking the integration process after Berisha's statements Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, has expressed his concern at the NATO ministerial meeting about rising tide of nationalism in Albania and premature declarations of the government. In a press release the Greek Foreign Ministry said that "the growth of nationalism and populism in some of our neighboring countries is a source of great concern."

The U.S. talk of "change of borders in the Balkans"

Message-warning sent to Albania by the U.S. representative to the State Department, which in a statement said that any change of borders in the Balkans "would be counterproductive and destabilizing," but the issue is that for the first time put the U.S. even and negative mood on any change of borders in the Balkans ...

INUK në Vlorë, pronarët: Me dokumenta të rregullta dhe leje ndërtimi

ENIKOS.GR

GREEK NEWS FROM NIKO`S BLOG

PREMIUM, THE GREEK TRASFORMATION

The "Kissinger Plan": Confederations Macedonia, Epirus, Thrache,

THE BIG CHANGE IN PERIVOLO, DRYMADES, HIMARA REGION

Dhermi, (Drymades, Himara Region) between natural beauty and destruction Look at those videos, before in 2010, everything natural and in 2012 the differences, the big changes how are divided Mafia plots, see whose investments are shown, with the camera of a sportsman parachute, in Long Beach "Perivolo" in Dhrymades, the Himara Region. Look at how this summer 2012, the Concessions of Mafia provided by The Himara Counsil Municipality and the Government of Albania, have become a reality. The Sand Beach Drymades, is transformed in the sidewalks and kiosks. See how they are transformed Dhermi, in a few years, in an administrative center, disrupting also balance the religious and ethnic composition of himariotes.

Robert Elsie: If I would live in Albania, it would be crazy. It is the same as in Ottoman times

After known albanolog Milan Shufla, Robert Elsie is the best conteproranean albanian albanolog in the World During his intereweu on "Top Channely TV, Robert Elsie, on his first interview on TV. expresed his story about Albanian and Albanian state in 100 years. An interesting tale scholar known for his work difficulties in view of the Albanian language. Elsie, who knows Albanians for years, amounts to a chilling conclusion. He says he will not ever live in Albania, as it will go mad. "I can not live here. It's a little wild for me, the relationships between people are a bit wild. I know that is just a facade that inside have good spirit, but have a rabies in human relations. You know how to protect yourself here, and here I am like a rabbit, he can not defend myself. I come here with pleasure, but do not believe they can afford to come and live here forever. There is much frustration of everyday life. Life is too short and I do not have time to bump into obstacles, only to achieve something, when in another country and get away and then live my life, "said Elsie to Albanian. And while Enver Hoxha's Albania as compared with that of Sali Berisha, adds: "There is something that depends only on the party, it's more the attitude of the people. So to get something going, you have to know someone in the Ministry, to drink coffee with, then drink coffee again next week with even a third time, and then he connects with the person that you are interested . That is the same as in Ottoman times, not like a normal country. ".

Separatists gaining ground in Europe

Greece, is going to Plan B: grant for 600 thousand Greek citizenship, at the Consulates

Failure of the Census in Albania, apparently, has forced Athens, put in place, going to Plan B to its foreign policy, grant citizenship to all Hellenic Community of Northern Epirus (Greek passports) through three Greek consulates in Albania. According to “The Albanian newspaper Gazeta Shqiptare”, in a statement issued by the Greek Consul in Argjirokaster, Nikolaos Kotroxois, will begin soon, giving the Greek passports to Albanian citizens of Greek descent, who have applied for years. The decision is taken, after Athens, has used all diplomatic sources to have to Tirana, the same wavelength, particularly in geopolitical matters, particularly Kosovo. In his statement, the Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Dimas, noted, that Tirana, continues to show towards Greece, feeling not sincere cooperation, while simultaneously calling for the right to self-determination of the Greek community in Albania.

BERISHA: GREATER ALBANIA, WE LOST TERRITORIES

he Albanian Prime Minister held a meeting with Prishtina University students, in which he argued why he is against the unification of Albania with Kosovo and why both countries would lose, if borders would be changed. “The vital interest of the Albanians is to preserve the current borders, and the Albanians should not accept, at any cost, to lose a single square meter of the land they are entitled to. Another redraw of the borders would mark undeserved losses of the Albanian territories. We must be patient, free, and should not undertake any action that threatens territorial losses. Every generation has to make its duty, and this generation made it”, Berisha declared.

Dimas:"The Greek ethnic Community in Albania has the right of free of charge self-determination"

The reliability of the results of population census in Albania, in terms of minority groups, directly challenging the foreign minister Stavros Dimas, diaminyontas same time that the Respect for human and minority rights is … crucial criterion for the progress of the accession method of our neighbor. In a letter sent to the Home in response to a question from a Member of LA.OS K. Aivaliotis, Dimas says that “the foreign ministry has closely followed all the developments surrounding the census in Albania, even though produced timely plays, both bilateral and European level to make sure the integrity process and unimpeded registration of members of the Greek National Minority, and each location of residence of such ». As outlined, the “Selection of the representatives of the main minority groups, including the Greek National Minority, invite their members to abstain in protest not guaranteed to respect the right of free of charge self-determination, showed a significant deficit of trust minority in the Albanian state, which ought to itself the Albanian government to address priority ».

The Constitutional Court Decision on December 1, the Latter abolished the term Ethnic certificate of Its Citizens. In the Decision, panels argues why the notion of "nationality" is incompatible with the constitution When Its state charter law does not provid a clear definition of Its meaning. In Assessing the Court, "nationality" as defined concept without, unlike Other components of civil law does not Create a link that 'translates the Mutual rights and duties of Natural Persons and state.

While the total population in Himara Municipality, does not exceed 12 thousand inhabitants, a source from the prosecution of Vlora, shows that the problems of ownership at the squirrels region have reached the 7500 court proceedings and special investigations, which marks a world record, by how a country like Albania, could not manage the right of ownership, in one of the areas attacked by the Albanian mafia and international. However, the U.S. Department Report for 2004 on human rights in Albania, states clearly that in the Himara Municipality, the community lands and the Orthodox Church, was robbed by a Courts with false documents, supported by the Office of Propetry Registration in Albania.

Arben Puto: Albania has declared war against Greece first

In his book "The Italian Greek War", Arben Puto, well known historian of the era of dictatorship in Albania, writes that: "In a unanimous decision of the Albanian Parliament on July 15, 1940, was ratified, the Italian Fascist royal decree, which declared all war allies France and Britain, including the USA and Greece. So need to Albanians, to be aware that Greece was not declared war Albania, but Albania, with military battalions that attacked Greece on 28 October 1940 ".

WB returns to Ionian Riviera residence reconstruction

Another World Bank project is being executed with the help of the Albanian authorities for the reconstruction of the residences in Albania’s southern coastline. The 625.000 USD project aims to protect and promote the values of the Albanian national architecture in the Southern part of the country, in order to prevent destruction and abandonment of the traditional houses. “Shqip” newspapers says that the Ministry of Public Works is the WB partner in the “Roofs and Facades” project. The implementation of the program has started in the villages classified as participators: Dhermi i Vjeter, Qeparo i Vjeter, Ilias, Vuno, Himare e Vjeter, Piqeras, Nivice and Luksht. The World Bank will finance 70% of the restauration cost, with a maximum of 7000 USD, while the program “Accommodation and Breakfast” will finance 50 of the restoration cost, with a maximum of 5,000 USD. The program “Roofs and Facades” aims to restore 72 houses in 18 months. 20 of them will adopt with the conditions of modern life, in the framework of the program “Accommodation and Breakfast”.

In Albania, at 20 years post-dictatorship, 8 thousands murders, for the issue of property

The shocking data, are given by the Prosecutor General, to the Albanian press Shocking facts which, in the wake of Albania rank Civil War, the high level of killings, including the year 1997 Through the Albanian press, Attorney General, has published shocking facts about the increasing number of murders in Albania, especially for issues of ownership. Clic on photo ....

Himara 26 centuries, a history of glorious Independence

HIMARA, THE NEXT MONTE CARLO`S IN EPIRUS

First step to Greater Albania: Kosovo Opens First Highway Section

A 38 kilometre-tranche of the road, which will eventually cross the country from the Albanian to Serbian border, was opened on Saturday. The first section, which runs from Vermica on the Albanian border to close to the town of Suhareka, cost 330 million euro. Senior Kosovo and Albania government officials were present at the inauguration ceremony. In a speech, Kosovo’s President Atifete Jahjaga said that the "highway has the role of linking nations and countries". "It is our link with important European corridors. Our coordinated policy will make us a free and equal members of the European Union," she added. Named the "Ibrahim Rugova Highway", after Kosovo's most famous president, the road connects with Albania's first highway, which was also built by the Turkish-American consortium Bechtel-Enka.

George Goro: Registration of properties on the southern coast of Albania faces difficulties

The process of registration of property in southern coastal areas of Albania is getting quite difficult. Mayor George Himara Goro says it has so far only completed the registration of houses and land but not land. Problems with documentation and the implementation of the Land Law difficult, according to him, residents in this process.

The Monument of Independence of Albania, is in hassle

PDIU Cam Community Party, the Socialist Party's local leader in Vlora, and "Red & Black Alliance", are making a nationalistic competition, the Monument of Independence and the Albanian national flag. Few days ago, Prime Minister Sali Berisha, said the establishment of a new monument to the independence of Albania in Tirana, implying, dismiss the historical tradition of Albanian independence in Vlora.

Himarrioton Society of America

The Himarriotans of America, motivated by the love of Himarra, the land of their native origin, and dedicated to the noblest ideals of their forfathers, have established this organization which aspires to the cultivation and preservation of Himarriotic culture in America, to making a positive difference in the lives of its members, and to promoting the rights and interests of the Himarriotans in Himarra, through the realization of patriotic, charitable, philanthropic, educational and cultural endeavors.

Opinion in Kosovo: "Socialists in Albania, are filo Greek"

The Chairman of the Opposition in Albania, Edi Rama, accused by the press in Kosovo that "he is with filo Greek sentiments" If, Sali Berisha, Albania's current prime minister, is expected both in Macedonia and Kosovo, as president of the Albanian nation, this has not happened with the chairman of the opposition in Albania, Edi Rama. During a recent visit to Kosovo, Edi Rama is unpopular, the fact that the perception of public opinion in Kosovo, is that the south, is the area close to Greece, but especially Rama and the Socialist Party, was accused of holding a position filo Greek, against the interests of Greater Albania.